The purpose of this article is to establish certain
minimum standards for the maintenance of premises and structures in order to
promote and protect the public health, safety, convenience, order, and general
welfare of the citizens of the city. The policy of the city is to prohibit dilapidated
structures and to require adequate premises maintenance as set forth
hereinafter. This article shall apply to all existing structures and
premises and shall constitute minimum standards for the maintenance of such structures
and premises. This article shall be in addition to all other state and local
minimum standards for construction. Open storageThere shall be no open storage of appliances, building
materials, rubbish, inoperable vehicles, junk, or garbage on any premises for
any period of time in excess of ten days. Any such storage shall be closed to
the public by screening, solid fencing or other material approved by the
director that both prevents viewing from the street and prevents physical
access by children or others who might walk onto the property. Open storage of
building materials is allowed in excess of ten days if the owner has a current
building permit and the storage is necessary for the renovation or addition to
a structure on the same premises. No open storage of any kind shall be allowed
that amounts to a public nuisance, or that presents a danger to the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of the city. Maintenance of structures(a) Exterior surfaces.
All exterior surfaces and materials of structures, including doors, door and
window frames, cornices, porches, and trim, shall be maintained in good order
and repair. Exterior surfaces shall be protected from decay and water damage. (b) Exterior walls.
Exterior walls shall be maintained free from holes, breaks, and loose or
rotting materials in order to prevent deterioration and water damage. (c) Roofs.
Roofs of structures shall be maintained so that they are structurally sound, in
safe condition, and have no material defects that might contribute to
substantial water damage. Roofs shall be complete with such materials and
elements, such as trim, eaves, soffits, flashing or other materials, as are
proper common building practices. (d) Exterior
stairways, porches, decks and balconies. Exterior stairways,
porches, decks, and balconies shall be maintained so that they are structurally
sound, are in good order and repair and capable of supporting the applicable
load capacities. Nuisances.(a) Nothing in this article shall preclude the city from
determining that conditions of a structure or premises constitute a nuisance,
nor preclude the city from taking any appropriate measures in accordance with
the law to abate a nuisance. (b) The following conditions may be declared a nuisance
when it is determined that any one of such conditions endangers the health,
welfare, or good order of the community: (1) Stagnant water on premises;(2) Any dead or decaying matter, weeds, vegetation, or
any fruit, vegetable, animal, or rodent upon premises which is odorous or
capable of causing disease or annoyance to the inhabitants of the city; (3) The continuous generation of smoke or fumes in sufficient
amounts for more than 24 hours to cause odor or annoyance to the inhabitants of
the city; (4) The pollution of public water or injection of matter
into the sewerage system which would be damaging thereto; (5) Maintaining a dangerous or diseased animal or fowl;(6) Obstruction of a public street, highway, or sidewalk
without a permit;(7) All walls, trees, and buildings that may endanger
persons or premises;(8) Any business
or building where illegal activities are habitually and commonly conducted in
such a manner as to reasonably suggest that the owner or operator of the
business or building was aware of the illegal activities and failed to take
appropriate measures to prevent the activities; (9) Unused iceboxes, refrigerators, and the like, unless
the doors, latches, or locks thereof are removed, as well as unused, abandoned,
or discarded containers with a capacity of at least 12 cubic feet; (10) Use by the owner or occupant of a residential
structure or premises for the open storage of any junked motor vehicle, glass,
building material, building rubbish or similar items. For the purpose of this
subsection, "junked motor vehicle" is defined as a motor vehicle that
is in a state of disrepair and incapable of being moved under its own power; (c) Any one or more of the following conditions shall be
and is hereby declared a nuisance:(1) Obstruction of any public watercourse or waterway;(2) Pollution of any public watercourse or waterway;(3) Uncovered piles of garbage or refuse of any kind;(4) Buried garbage or refuse of any kind;(5) Infestation by rats and vermin;(6) Accumulation on any premises of debris, objects, materials or a condition which may constitute a health, accident, or fire hazard, or which creates a blighting or deteriorating effect in the city; and